What happens to a dream deferred… famous words from poet Langston Hughes. I remember having to recite this poem in 7th grade, not fully understanding the meaning behind the words. What really happens to a dream that is deferred? What happens when you are stuck in the middle of that dream with no breakthrough in sight? Can that dream become a vision realized?
For some reason, this conversation has been coming up frequently with the girls… and gents. What I now understand is that not all dreams make their way to become a vision for your life, not all dreams become goals, and not all dreams are realized. The evidence is clear…if all dreams came to pass, there would not be brokenness: broken hearts, broken promises, broken commitments, a broken spirit,etc. So what is the difference between a dream deferred and a vision realized? How does one push past the gray areas and see their vision come to pass?
So, I’ve set out to find the answer because I’ve had dreams, that are now goals that I desire to come to pass. I do not believe that they are just lofty thoughts, but God given visions. I don’t believe that they are just for my thoughts. They are to be manifested into reality. These dreams are GRAND and they are supposed to be. Your dreams should be LARGE and almost, almost….unattainable. So that when they do come to pass, you will feel accomplished and confident. God gets the glory and it’s His grace that brought you through.
What happens to your faith when you are in the middle of producing that thing and it seems so impossible, so hard to grasp, to hard to focus on the PRIZE? How do you push through? How do you take the risk, emotionally, financially, physically? Where does your strength come from?
I heard stories from friends about how they had been awakened from sleep to communicate with God, to pray, read the word, have devotion or just spend a moment of quiet time with Him. That experience has happened to me quite often as well. I’ve gotten up as early as 4am to pray for someone or read a passage in the Bible. However, as of late, I have been praying for BIG things to happen in my life. As a christian, I should have known that with BIG dreams, there will be BIG commitments, BIG changes and A LOT of uncomfortable moments. So for the past month, I have been getting up at 6:30-7am (which is not early at all to some folks, I get it! 
and not just praying and talking to God, but setting out for my daily walk/run. Never less than an hour. Never less than 4 miles. I am in training for something that is GREAT and I am believing that it will come to pass.
My dreams will be manifested because of that walk, because of the work He has been doing in my life. Doing this “wilderness” period, He has been reshaping my body, correcting my wrongs and transforming my mindset… and the process is grueling…
But I’ve made a promise to God and to myself that I would not run, I will not turn back. That I will not reject His love for me and I will not think any less of myself. I don’t know how all the details will be worked out, but I plan on looking back one day and being grateful that I was able to persevere and see the vision realized.
What I believe the difference in a dream deferred, a dream defeated and the vision realized is the WORK and COMMITMENT. How hard are you willing to push for it. How long will you pray, meditate and focus on it? You may want to doubt that it will happen, throw your hands up and give up, but when you are focused, you can’t. It becomes you. You’ll live and breathe that dream until it shows up. Rejoice, but only for a moment. You should be on to the next dream.
Later, Honey
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore–
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?
- Langston Hughes
